Recently, there has been a topic and thread discussing sk2yshine's new handwriting style development.
I was mildly critical of the speed with which he appeared to abandon the study of conventional Copperplate style script, in favour of his own style, but posts by Songwind and Daosus have given me food for thought.

Songwind -
"A good grounding in the basics does not require total mastery of any particular alphabet or set of forms. sk2yshine worked on the copperplate script until he had a good grasp of pen control, etc. Then, finding himself lacking interest in the forms of that particular alphabet, went and found another."

Daosus -
"I agree that you have to master the forms before moving on to anything else, if you want to do calligraphy. If you're just wanting to improve handwriting, at least getting the basics is necessary, but after that, you can branch out. If you want to get legible handwriting, going to basics is still a good idea, but you don't have to become a Copperplate master."

I now feel that there are 3 basics approaches to flex-nibbed writing and would be very interested in other opinions.

1) Copperplate script, originally known as English Roundhand, which attempts to simulate the printed script produced from copperplate engravings, using a flexible nib.

2) Spencerian script - the American style of flex-nibbed lettering which at first sight, resembles Copperplate, but in fact, is completely different and equally attractive.

3) Free Form Flex - this is my name for individual flex-nibbed lettering which, whilst owing little to the styles of the past, can be legible, attractive, personal and just as valid as the established forms.


It's very easy to become set in one's ways, and this discussion has been an eye (and mind) opener.

You're never too old to learn!

caliken

I don't quite understand what it is you are getting at. Are you philosophising about the differences between handwriting and Calligraphy? Are you also talking about the differences between the different pointed pen styles? I feel that what you have said in your post, if I have the right end of the stick is correct. I feel that one does not need to be a writing master to branch out but I also feel that basic grounding is entirely necessary before you go your own way.
Since Italic is a feasible method of handwriting (when simplified) could Italic Roundhand like in the Zanerian Manual be included in that list of 3 styles? I take it Italian script you would place with Copperplate/English Roundhand? Though I feel it has qualities of its own.

I personally feel that many Calligraphic scripts can be corrupted as it were to become fast flowing and more 'free' handwriting. I think free form flex as you call it can have two branches. It can be basic handwriting with a flex pen or it can be a uniform, stylised, personalised script intended for the flexible pen. In other words you can have writing that is a product of the flexible pen and you can have writing invented for the flexible pen.

Well, to add a bit, there's the Palmer method. I believe this is the one taught to school kids these days (I didn't actually learn my cursive in the US). But really, as long as you make sure you have the basic letter form right, and that you don't emphasize odd parts of the letter, you should be OK. The thing that gets me is when people add flourishes or bold strokes to their writing, and have no idea what they're doing. It ends up looking top heavy, and I have to go back and decipher everything. To summarize: what he said ^.

As a funny aside, it took me the longest time to figure out that Spencerian and English Roundhand are different scripts. I thought the Americans were doing English Roundhand badly. I kept thinking "how are these guys called "masters," their script looks nothing like The Universal Penman."